Focusing aid for electron microscopes



Dec. 1, 1953 1 R. 5. PAGE 2,651,427

-' FOCUSING AID FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPES Fild NOV. 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l Inv entor Richard SJ aQe,

His Att r-ney.

Dec. 1, 1953 R. 5. PAGE 2,661,427

FOCUSING AID FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPES Filed Nov. 29, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: F? ichahd gJ age,

His Attorney.

Dec. 1, 1953 Filed Nov. 29, '1950 R. S. PAG E FOCUSING AID FOR ELECTRON MICROSGOPES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.

Inventor":

Qichavol Sl age,

by w 4 W His Attorney.

Patented Dec. 1, 1953 FOCUSING AID FOR ELECTRON MICROSQOPES Richard S. Page, Stretford, Manchester, England,

assignor to General Electric Company, a. corporation of New York Application November 29, 1950, Serial No. 198,053

Claims priority, application Great Britain February 23, 1950 Claims. (Cl. 250-49.5)

This invention relates to electron microscopes and has for its object the provision of means for facilitating visual focusing.

In electron microscopy the image forming lenses work at a very low numerical aperture in order to combat the effects of spherical aberration. One result is that the depth of focus in the image may be nearly 1,060 times greater than the size of the minimum resolved distance. In spite of this it is still a matter of considerable diniculty to obtain a correctly focused image. The principal reason for this difiiculty is to be found in the poor resolving power of the eye compared with that of the photographic plates used for recording the images. It is usual, for high resolution working, to photograph the image at a magnification of between 10 and thousand times in an instrument capable of resolving a dim tance of say 20 angstrom units (A. ll). At the viewing screen of the instrument a distance of 20 A. U. appears as .02 mm. at 10,060 times. Although the photographic plate can easily resolve this distance, the unaided eye can only resolve about 0.1 mm. therefore, a considerable uncertainty exists as to exact focus.

The unsharpness, or diffusion, of the image due to a certain amount of defocusing is a function of the working aperture of the objective lens in the microscope so that, if the aperture can be increased while focusing is carried out, a nearer approximation to exact focus can be obtained.

In accordance with the present invention, the position of the apparent source of electrons irradiating the object during focusing is caused to fluctuate rapidly along the common axis of the objective lens and electron source so that the angle subtended by the apparent source at the object, and hence the angular aperture of the objective lens, is continuously varied.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a typical illuminating systa- Fig. 2 is a curve showing the change in intensity of the illumination and the change of aperture as the strength of a condenser lens is varied,

Fig. 3 illustrates diagrammatically the confusion of an image point due to defocusing,

Fig.4 shows curves relating the change of aperture and intensity as the strength of a condenser lens is changed periodically,

Fi 5 shows a construction of a condenser lens having alternating current and direct current windings according to the invention,

Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically a complete electron microscope, and

Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the production of an error due to spherical aberration when using the arrangement of this invention.

A necessary condition in the operation of an electron microscope is that the intensity of illumination must be kept low enough to avoid damage to the specimen. Since the intensity is controlled by variation of the condenser lens power, whichalso controls the angular aperture of the illumination, working at low intensity means working at a low angular aperture. Fig. 1 shows a typical illuminating system comprising an electron source S, a condenser lens having an aperture at L and an object plane at A, while Fig. 2 shows a curve R relating both the aperture and intensity I of illumination as a function of the field strength H of the condenser lens. from Fig. 1 that the maximum angular aperture a occurs when the condenser lens focuses an image of the source at the object plane. The value of a depends only on the geometry of the system and is given by:

where D=diameter of aperture L and c=dis-- tance from aperture to object. When the source; is imaged either'beiore or after the object plane,

When the'objective lens current is adjusted sothat the plane of the final viewing screen is con jugate to the object plane, the image is in exact focus and the detail present in the image depends on the resolving power of the instrument. When the lens current is not so adjusted, the image is diffused. or de-focused. The confusion of an image point due to ole-focusing is illustrated in Fig. 3. L1 is the imaging system including the objective and one or more projector lenses; A1 is the object and C the image plane. D is the plane conjugate to C so that for correct focus D must coincide with A1. If A1D=du and the angular aperture oi the rays leaving an object point he a, then the diameter of the circle of diffusion due to incorrect focusing is given by In the final image the amount of diffusion a must be small compared with the resolving power AM of the instrument. The exact relation beit will be clear.

tween 6 and AM depends on many other factors including the morphology of the specimen under observation and the resolving power of the photographic plate, but a relationship found suitable in practice is:

Therefore, the focus must be adjusted so that the displacement between the object and the plane of true focus is equal to or less than where a, will now be taken as the desired operating aperture.

If the instrument is operated at a magnification M, the diffusion in the image is MB, so that to focus the image by eye this quantity should be just equal to the resolving power of the eye An when Thus AE=M6 Therefore, from Equation 2, AE=M6=Madu, and using Equation 4, we have A MOZ 4a;

4a A 'MA,, (6) Equation 6 gives the value to which the operating aperture (1, must be increased to allow accurate visual focusing.

The set of values chosen for calculation purposes will be those consistent with operation of microscope for the highest resolution. The lowest magnification used is about 10,000 times, otherwise the performance is limited by the resolving power of the photographic emulsion. To prevent damage to the specimen and to take best advantage of the objective lens characteristics, the illumination aperture is usually chosen in the region of 5 l0 radians, and the resolving power of the microscope may be taken as 20 A. U. If the resolving power of the eye is taken as .01 cm., then we have by Equation 6 The value of a when the condenser lens focuses the electron source on the object is a given by Equation 1 and, in practice, a has a value of 5X10 radians, just half that required. However, the factor of 2 involved here is less than the factor of 5 between the resolving power of the eye and the finest detail in the image. Furthermore, it is usually possible to view the image through a magnifying glass giving, say, a magnification of 2 times.

We can. therefore, assume that the value of a is sufficient for accurate focusing, and this is borne out by practice. It may seem that the easiest way to focus accurately would be to adjust the condenser lens until a= and reduce 0. again after focusing. There are several reasons why this is undesirable, the principal one being that the specimen might be irreparably damaged by the continuous high current density.

The possibility of damage to the specimen is greatly reduced if the time during which the beam is focused on the specimen is made very 10" radians short, for example, of the order of a few milliseconds. If, in accordance with this invention, the power of the condenser lens is modulated by a superposed alternating component so that the beam is just brought into focus once per cycle, the persistence of vision of the observers eye creates the illusion that the beam is continuously focused without much increase in intensity. This can be explained with reference to Fig. 4 which again shows the curve R of illumination intensity and aperture against condenser lens field strength shown in Fig. 2. H0 is the field for maximum intensity and aperture and Hi is an arbitrary value assumed to be the operating point. If now an A. C. field Ha is superposed on H1 so that Hl+Ha=Ho, then the illumination will be focused once per cycle and the aperture will vary over the range a -a It will be seen from Fig. 1 that this is equivalent to moving the apparent electron source to and fro along the lens axis between definite limits.

The effect on the intensity can be estimated by constructing the alternating component Ia superposed on the working intensity Ii as shown in Fig. 4. It will be seen that, due to the shape of the 11 vs. H curve, the mean intensity is slightly increased and that the period during which peak intensity exists is of the order of /4 cycle, or about 5 milliseconds if the frequency of H9. is cycles/sec. As the difference between Hi and H0 is increased, while maintaining the relation Hi+Ha=Ho, the period of peak intensity is decreased. This makes possible a mode of operation which is advantageous in several. respects.

The illumination intensity at the aperture required for best resolution is usually lower than the minimum intensity required for visual focusing. Thus, the increase of intensity when the alternating field Ha is applied can be used to raise the intensity to this minimum value so that the recording intensity and aperture are lower. This mode of operation also reduces the risk of damage to the specimen.

The means of superposing the alternating field i on the steady condenser lens field is shown in Fig. 5. The magnetic condenser lens l comprises a solenoidal winding 2 of some 20,000 turns sur rounded by an iron sheath 3 having an axial non-magnetic gap 6. Means for energizing winding 2 to produce a desired focusing field. across gap 4 may include leads 5 and 55, which may be connected to a suitable source of direct current (not shown). As a practical matter, the inductance is too high for it to be possible to inject an alternating current from a suitable source 6 directly into the direct current lens supply circuit, consequently the modulating field must be injected by meane of a low impedance winding 1 coaxial with the main winding 2. This may be fed from a low voltage winding 8 of a transformer 9 in series with a suitable control rheostat l0 and switch H.

The excitation required for the auxiliary coil 1 depends on the difference H o-Hi and is therefore variable, hence the provision of a rheostat. For a particular application the excitation of the condenser lens for maximum beam intensity is about 800 ampere-turns, and this may be reduced to 600 ampere turns for normal operation. Thus, to preserve the relation Hi+Ha=H0.. a peak alternating excitation of 200 ampere turns is required. This may be provided by a 50 turn winding fed with a current of approximately 3 amneres, root mean square.

Fig. 6, wherein portions corresponding to those 5. in- Fig. are identified by like numerals, shows diagrammatically a complete microscope with the focusing device included. Thev microscope comprises'an air tight enclosure i2 within which is d'mposed a source of electronsv including a cathode assembly 52" insulated from an. earthed anode l3 by the insulating plate M; The electron beam is generated by applying a high negative potential, e. g. 50 kv. from a suitable source (not shown), to the cathode l2 and is directed axially by the electric field between cathode and. anode. An axial hole It in the anode it allows the beam to pass through the electron condenser lens 1 formed by theiron sheath 3, main exciting'windling- 2, and auxiliary winding l for focusing as described above. This lens focusesthebeam; to an axial point near or atthe' plane" of a specimen it. The specimen is held in a radial rod ll passing through a gland seal 18 as shown. Pipes !9 and it connect the apparatus to a suitable vacuum plant (not shown). The electron beam penetrates the specimen and passes into the electron objective lens 26, which forms a magnified image further along the axis just before a second electron lens 3!. This lens further magnifies the image and projects it to the end of the chamber 22, where the electrons fall on a fluorescent screen 23 coated on a glass plate 2 5. The electron image is thereby converted to a light optical image and is seen by transmission through the plate 24. To focus the image in the plane of- 23 the excitation of objective lens 2c is varied until the image appears sharp. This operation is rendered considerably easier by the use of an auxiliary alternating excitation of the will appear nearerthe lens as the working: aper- 4 ture of the lens is increased. Thus, the temporary use of a large aperture foreaseof focusing causes a residual error when the aperture is decreased for recording purposes. Referring to Fig. 7', rays leaving an ob ect point 0 in the plane A2 with a semi-angular aperture a, are focused by the lens L2 to an image I in plane C2; :1 is assumed small so that I is the Gaussian image of 0. If we consider a cone of rays of aperture a Where c,,,,,. a,, the marginal rays are focused nearer the lens in a plane E. Thus. the complete solid cone of rays forms a disc of confusion in plane C2, the diameter of which is given by Here Cs is the spherical. aberration. constant of the. lens and Ms is the stage. magnification.

The surface of rotation containing the raysforms a circle of least confusion at a plane F between C2 and the lens where the best'focus is obtained. The distance FC2=dv is given by UNIX Thus, when the large aperture is used for focusing, best focus will be obtained when the plane F coincides with the object plane of the projector lenses. Then, when the aperture is decreased to. a the plane. of: the image movesto plane C2 and the objective. lens is focused. on plane D2. conjugate to plane F, instead of on the object in. plane A2.

If. the distance A2D2=du then we have by the usual lens. formula and Equation 8 Valli. .141 fr of where f'is the focal. length of the central portion of the objective lens. The objective lens power must thus be increased slightly after using the focusing device in order to obtain correct focus. This correction is difiicult to calculate in practice, sincethe true image plane C2 will. vary slightlywith the aperture 0. which depends on the electron scattering at the specimen. However, assuming a is considerably smaller than a We can use Equation 9 in conjunction with the approximate formula for lens focal length Where V=accelerating voltage, I =excitation current andv K=constant to obtain the increment of current required. Since JEZL, we can obtain, by differentiation of 1),

This correction is very small and, for most practical purposes, can be neglected since it represents an aberration of less than 10 A. U. in the final image.

While the invention has been described by reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the invention. 1', therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover such equiv alent variations as come within the true spirit and scope of the foregoing disclosure.

What I claim new and to by Letters Patent of the United l. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a viewing screen, said method comprising: cyclically increasing the angular aperture of condenser lens at a rate sufficiently rapid to produce a beam of electrons appearing to be continuously focused, and varying the strength of the objective lens field until theimage of the specimen is brought to a desired sharp focus on the viewing screen.

2; The method ofascertaini and ad justing the focus of an electron microscope M d of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: moving the apparent source of the electrons to and fro along the axis of the lenses by alternately increasing the angular aperture of the condenser lens, and varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to a desired sharp focus on the screen.

3. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel. from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: moving the apparent source of the electrons to and fro along the axis of the lenses by cyclically increasing the angular aperture of the condenser lens, varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to an apparent sharp focus on the screen, and altering the strength of the objective lens field from said apparent sharp focus position to compensate for spherical aberration.

4. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: moving the apparent source of the electrons to and fro along the axis of the lenses by alternately and repeat edly increasing the angular aperture of the condenser lens, varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to an apparent sharp focus on the screen, causing the angular aperture of the condenser lens to be maintained at the desired working value of aperture, and increasing the strength of the objective lens field from said apparent sharp focus position to compensate for spherical aberration.

5. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: adjusting the condenser lens field to a desired constant value of angular aperture, varying the angular aperture of the condenser lens field from said desired constant value by modulating the field with an alternating component, and varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to a desired sharp foc-us on the screen.

6. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: adjusting the condenser lens field to a desired constant value of angular aperture, varying the angular aperture of the condenser lens field from said desired constant value by modulating the field with an alternating component, varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to an apparent sharp focus on the screen, and altering the strength of the objective lens field from said apparent sharp focus position to compensate for spherical aberration.

'7. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: adjusting the condenser lens field to a desired constant value of angular aperture, varying the angular aperture of the condenser lens field from said desired constant value by modulating the field with an alternating component, varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to a desired sharp focus on the screen, removing said alternating compo nent from the condenser lens field, and adjusting the constant value of the condenser lens field to the desired value of working aperture.

8. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a magnetic condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: adjusting the condenser lens field to a desired constant intensity I'Ii, superposing an alternating component of field upon said constant field having said intensity H1, said alternating component having a peak intensity IIa such that the combined peak intensity Ho of said constant and alternating fields equals the field for maximum illumination intensity and aperture, and varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to a desired sharp focus on the screen.

9. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a magnetic condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: adjusting the condenser lens field to a desired constant intensity H1, superposing an alternating component of field upon said constant field having said intensity Hi, said alternating component having a peak intensity Ha such that the combined peak intensity Ho of said constant and alternating fields equals the field for maximum illumination intensity and aperture, varying the strength of the objective lens until the image of the specimen is brought to an apparent sharp focus on the screen, and altering the strength of the objective lens from said apparent sharp focus position to compensate for spherical aberration.

10. The method of ascertaining and adjusting the focus of an electron microscope of the type wherein electrons travel from a source through a magnetic condenser lens field to a specimen and thence through an objective lens field to a fluorescent screen, said method comprising: adjusting the condenser lens field to a desired constant intensity Hi, superposing a time-varying component of magnetic field upon said constant field having said intensity H1, said time-varying component having a peak intensity Ha such that the combined peak intensity Ho of said constant and time-varying fields in the same direction equals the field for maximum illumination intensity and aperture, and varying the strength of the objective lens field until the image of the specimen is brought to a desired sharp focus on the screen.

11. In an electron microscope wherein electrons travel from a source through a magnetic condenser lens to a specimen and thence through 12. In an electron microscope wherein elec- 5 trons travel from a source through a magnetic condenser lens to a specimen and thence through an objective lens to a fluorescent screen, a separate energizing winding on said condenser lens and means for energizing said winding with a 10 time-varying current having a variable amplitude.

13. In an electron microscope wherein electrons travel along an electron optical axis from a source to a specimen and thence through an 15 objective lens to a fluorescent screen, a condenser lens between said source and said specimen for focusing said electrons, said condenser lens comprising a direct current winding, a second winding adjacent said direct current winding, and means 20 for energizing said second winding with timevarying current.

14. In an electron microscope wherein electrons travel along an electron optical axis from a source to a specimen and thence through an 5 objective lens to a fluorescent screen, a magnetic condenser lens between said source and said specimen for focusing said electrons, said condenser lens comprising a solenoidal direct current winding, a second winding coaxial with said direct current winding, and means for energizing said second winding with alternating current.

15. In an electron microscope wherein electrons travel along an electron optical axis from a source to a specimen and thence through an objective lens to a fluorescent screen, a magnetic condenser lens between said source and said specimen for focusing said electrons, said condenser lens comprising a solenoidal direct current winding, a second winding coaxial with said direct current winding, means for energizing said second winding with alternating current, and a magnetic sheath having an axial non-magnetic gap and surrounding both said windings.

RICHARD S. PAGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,354,287 Zworykin et a1 July 25, 1944 2,464,396 Hillier et al Mar. 15, 1949 2,485,754 Le Poole Oct. 25, 1949 

